Traveling sprinkler



Nov. 1, 1955 l. JEPsoN 2,722,454

TRAVELING SPRINKLER Filed Sept- 14. 1951 7 sheets-sheet 1 url ny /N VEN Ta VH? JEPSO/V Br@ V ATT'YS.

NOV l, 1955 1. JEPsoN 2,722,454

TRAVELING SPRINKLER Filed Sept. 14 1951 v 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 /VHR JEPSON Acwwa 7 Nov. 1, 1955 l. JEPsoN 2,722,454

TRAVELING SPRINKLER Filed Sept. 14, 1951 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 //V VEN TR VHP 'JEPSON Nov. 1 1955 l. JEPsoN TRAVELING SPRINKLER 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Sept. 14, 1951 /N VEN TOR IVA@ JEPSOV nTr'Ys.

Nov. l, 1955 l. JEPsoN 2,722,454

TRAVELING SPRINKLER 1111611 sept. 14, 1951 1 Smets-sheet 5 i I IWI,

/N VEN TOR /VR JEPSON @Y c @m r nTT'Ys.

Nov. 1, 1955 l. JEPSON TRAVELING SPRINKLER 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Sept. 14, 1951 N o R md Mm W 2 Y am HTT'Ys.

Nov. l, 1955 JEPsoN 2,722,454

TRAVELING SPRINKLER Filed Sept. 14, 1951 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENToR. z/az/f psafz United States Patent Office 2,722,454 Patented Nov. 1, 1,955

TRAVELING SPRINKLER Ivar Jepson, Oak Park, Ill., assigner to Sunbeam Corporation, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application September 14, 1951, Serial No. 246,533

17 Claims. (Cl. 299-50) The present invention relates to sprinklers particularly adapted for watering lawns, gardens, golf courses and the like, and more specifically to a self propelling or traveling sprinkler wherein the sprinkler physically moves over the area to be sprinkled thereby permitting a larger area to be covered than would otherwise be possible. In its broader aspects `the present invention is applicable to sprinklers for all purposes.

In the United States Letters Patent 2,335,28 l-Jepson, assigned to the same assignee as the instant application, there is disclosed and claimed a sprinkler particularly adapted for sprinkling lawns, which has been found to be unusually successful in providing uniform coverage for .either large or small areas, a sprinkler embodying this invention has gone into extensive commercial use. Such a sprinkler is provided with adjustable means whereby coverage may be obtained over an area varying from five to :fifty feet in diameter. However, with .this type of sprinkler when the particular area vwhere .the sprinkler is located has been watered suficiently, it ,is lnecessary to `move the sprinkler to a new area and repeat the process. This requires that someone be available to shut off the water supply `and move the sprinkler at specified intervals ,of time. For small lawns this may not ybe an inconvenience, but obviously for large lawns where a large number of moves of the sprinkler are necessary to obtain cornplete coverage, this is Very definitely an inconvenience and :it would be `desirable if the sprinkler couldbe movedautomatically to a new area when the particular area where the. sprinkler is located has been sufficiently covered with water and when the .entire area, as for example the entire lawn, .is completely sprinkled that the sprinkler automatically `shut itself off. Occasionally -forgetful people :may permit the sprinkler to operate for hours upon a single location, thus often applying too much water and in some caseseven causing damage by failure to shut off the sprinkler. Consequently it would be desirable to stop the sprinkler automatically so that this could not occur. It is common practice for ypeople to sprinkle `their lawns in thelate afternoon and in dry seasons whena great many people are sprinkling atthe same time, the available water pressure often drops substantially with the result thata much longer sprinkling time is required in order properly to sprinkle a particular area. If it were possible to lsprinkle or water thelawn inthe late evening .whenmost householders have retired, Ithe yavailable ywater pressure,

regardless of the season, is likely'to be much more satis- ,factory and more satisfactory sprinkling will result under ythese conditions. However, without-a traveling sprinkler embodying certain features of the-present invention, such v'late evening Vsprinkling would require that someone remain awake periodically to move the sprinkler to new locations and to eventually shutoff the sprinkler when `the area to be sprinkled is covered to a desired extent. It would therefore be desirable to provide a self propelling sprinkler which would move itself over the desired area togivecomplete coverage and would automatically shut itself off when this has been accomplished, whereby no attention to the sprinkler is necessary and the occupant of the home associated with the lawn being sprinkledcan go to bed and still accomplish complete sprinkling to the best advantage at times when the water pressure is high and other conditions for sprinkling are optimum.

There have been suggested heretofore numerous types of self propelled or traveling sprinklers. In general these sprinklers have been of two different types. One type of sprinkler is provided with traction wheels driven'in response to a liuid motor, and more generally to operation] of the rotary sprinkler head, which fluid motor or rotary sprinkler head drives suitable traction wheels engaging the `surface of the lawn. Numerous difficulties have been encountered with this type of sprinkler due to variations in movement occasioned by`differences in the condition of the lawn surface with which traction is made and which lawn surfaces obviously vary widely from lo- .cation to location. The lawn surfaces may vary from heavy to light turf and the lawn may furthermore vary from a heavy clay to a very sandy soil. Also, where drainage is not good, sprinkling may cause the ground t0 become very soft with a tendency to become muddy .so that traction Will vary widely with the moisture condition of the ground. Consequently sprinklers which have depended upon traction with the lawn surface to cause them to be propelled over the vsurface have been unsatisfactory. Moreover, where the propelling wheels of the sprinkler have been provided with spikes or lugs to engage the lawn surface and insure proper traction, the resultant damage to the lawn by such spikes or lugs are objected to by the householder. In a copendingapplication Serial No. 107,653-Jepson, filed July 30,` 13949, there is ydisclosed and claimed a traveling sprinkler in which movement of the sprinkler is occasioned `by virtue of the provision of means gripping the hose which supplies lthe sprinkler with water, whereby the sprinkler itself ,is propelled along the hose. This type of sprinkler .completely obviatesthe traction problem.

There is another type of sprinkler in which the sprinkler moves over a particular area by winding up on areel associated with .the sprinkler a tape or line `having its rremote end secured to a fixed support such as a stake `or the like and movement ofthe sprinkler toward that fixed Support is occasioned in response to operation of a fluid motor. The present invention is particularly concerned with that type of traveling sprinkler and to improvements in such a sprinkler whereby there is provided a very simple compact traveling sprinkler which is substantially foolproof in operation and which is capable of giving long years of satisfactory service. I

Accordingly it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved self propelled lawn sprinkler. yIt is another object of the present invention to provide a lawn sprinkler which is automatically propelled :over an extendedarea, with the resultant uniform coverage or sprinkling of vthis area regardless of the surface condition of the area over which the sprinkler is propelled.

It is another object of the present' iuventionto provide a traveling sprinkler automatically .propelled over .the area to 'oe ysprinkled and in Lwhich the areaof coverage for any particular location of the `sprinkler is selectively variable.

A further object of the present invention is to provide anew andimprovedtraveling sprinkler includingasimple means for stopping the sprinkling operation afferya predetermined a'rea has been watered. l

Still another object of the present inventionis to,pro,vi,de an improved traveling sprinkler' with selective control meansfor permitting the sprinkler either to Ashutitself ofic orlo remain on after a predetermined area over which the sprinkler has been propelled is sprinkled.

Still a further object of the present invention resides in the provision of a traveling sprinkler which has no moving parts engaging the surface of the area to be sprinkled.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a traveling sprinkler having a minimum number of parts which are economical to manufacture, simple to assemble, readily accessible for replacement or repair, and which provides a sturdy and foolproof construction capable of giving years of satisfactory service under all operating conditions.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent as the following descripton proceeds, and the features of novelty which characterize the invention will be pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification.

For a better understanding of the present invention, reference may be had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view of a traveling sprinkler embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a top view of the traveling sprinkler shown in Fig. 1, showing the fixed support to which the line or tape is fastened;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view through the automatic sprinkler of Fig. 1, with certain portions of the sprinkler not sectionalized;

Fig. 4 is a view looking in the direction of the arrows 4 4 of Fig. l, with certain portions of the sprinkler cut away;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 3, assuming that Fig. 3 shows the complete disclosure;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken on line 6--6 of Fig. 3, again assuming that Fig. 3 shows the complete disclosure;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary view looking in the direction of the arrows 7-7 of Fig. 3, assuming that Fig. 3 shows the complete disclosure;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 8-8 of Fig. 3, again assuming that Fig. 3 shows the complete disclosure;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken on line 9-9 of Fig. 3, again assuming that Fig. 3 shows the complete disclosure;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 10-10 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 1l is a vertical sectional view quite similar to Fig. 3, illustrating another embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 12 is a sectional view taken on line 12-12 of Fig. 11, assuming that Fig. 11 shows the complete structure;

Fig. 13 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 13-13 of Fig. 11, assuming that Fig. l1 shows the complete structure;

Fig. 14 is a sectional View taken on line 14-14 of Fig. 13, assuming that Fig. 13 shows the complete structure;

Fig. 15 is a sectional view taken on line 15-15 of Fig. 12, also assuming that Fig. l2 shows the complete structure;

Fig. 16 is a small perspective view of the sprinkler of Fig. 11;

Fig. 17 is still another small perspective view of the sprinkler of Fig. 11 illustrating one operating set-up;

Fig. 18 is a bottom view of the sprinkler of Figs. 1l and 16;

Fig. 19 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 19-19 of Fig. 18;

Fig. 20 is a view similar to Fig. 17 showing another operating set-up for the sprinkler of Fig. 11; and

Fig. 21 is a top plan view of Fig. 20 to illustrate the actual path followed by the traveling sprinkler.

Basically the two embodiments of the present invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 10 of the drawings and Figs. 11 to 2l of the drawings are the same, a different type of reduction gear mechanism being employed in one embodiment as contrasted with the other, and various details differing slightly in the two embodiments. At present the embodiment of Figs. 1l to 21 is considered the preferred embodiment, although, as has been mentioned, the embodiments are very similar. Both embodiments comprise a traveling sprinkler comprising a base adapted to be slid over the surface to be sprinkled, which base supports a rotating sprinkler head and which base also has rotatably mounted thereon a reel which is driven by rotation of the sprinkler head to wind up a tape or line and hence pull the sprinkler toward an anchor point for the end of this line or tape not connected to the sprinkler reel.

As will become apparent from the following description, the traveling sprinkler of the present invention need not move in a straight line between the initial location of the sprinkler and the stake or fastening means toward which the sprinkler is pulled, but the sprinkler may actually travel through a relatively circuitous path and hence is adapted for sprinkling odd shaped areas very satisfactorily. The drawings illustrate the present invention as particularly adapted for sprinkling lawns, golf courses or the like, but it should be understood that the invention is capable of application in other forms. Also, both ernbodiments of the present invention indicate a sprinkler head of the rotary reaction type very similar to that disclosed and claimed in the above mentioned Jepson Patent 2,335,281. It should be understood, however, that the traveling sprinkler of the present invention may have other forms of sprinkler heads, whether for a fixed or adjustable area and in fact might comprise a fixed nozzle member with a series of openings for uniformly distributing the water around the nozzle. In such a case there must be provided a fluid motor to rotate the reel which in turn causes propulsion of the sprinkler over the area being sprinkled. Preferably, therefore, a rotary reaction type sprinkler is employed which inherently provides the fluid motor whereby the mechanical energy produced in rotating the sprinkler head is also employed in propelling the sprinkler over the area to be sprinkled. Preferably the control arrangement of the above mentioned Jepson patent whereby the area covered by the sprinkler for any location thereof may be selectively variable by a simple control means is employed.

Referring now to Figs. 1 to 10 of the drawings, there is illustrated a traveling sprinkler generally designated at 25, which comprises a pair of castings 26 and 27 forming a support for the sprinkler, a housing for various elements comprising the traveling sprinkler, and a base or support for engaging the surface to be sprinkled. As illustrated, the casting 26 includes a base 26a of circular configuration having a peripheral flange 26b joined to the base proper by a smooth curve, indicated at 28, whereby the base may be slid along the surface of the lawn in any direction as on a sort of a skid or runner. The base 26a is furthermore so shaped that only a relatively narrow annular portion thereof is in engagement with the surface to be sprinkled. The base is of relatively large extent to provide a good support and may actually have a diameter of the order of ten to twelve inches. To prevent injury to grass disposed beneath the sprinkler, the base is preferably provided with a plurality of spaced openings 29 which permit air and water to reach the surface between the base inside the annular ring, which defines the actual contacting portion of the base with the surface of the lawn.

Describing first the rotary sprinkling element which causes the water to be uniformly distributed over a particular area around the base 26, this sprinkler element has been indicated as substantially identical with that of the above mentioned Jepson patent as Well as the disclosure of the copending Jepson application Serial No. 34,083 filed June 19, 1948, and also assigned to the same assignee as the present application. The rotating sprinkler element, as was mentioned above, may have any construction, but is specifically illustrated as comprising a nozzle carrying head 30 mounted for rotation about a vertical axis. As illustrated, the head 30 is hollow and threaded on to the upper end ofa hollow bearing stud 31 which is suitably journalled in means to be described hereinafter, ysupported by the upper Vcasting 27. The hollow bearing stud 31, in addition to supporting the head 30, also delivers Water under pressure into the hollow head 30, to which are attached a pair of tubular nozzle members 32 and 33. The tubular nozzle members 32 and 33 are designed so as to utilize the reaction forces of the water jet deliveries therefrom to cause rotation of the nozzles and head 32 about the vertical axis of the bearing stud 31. As illustrated, the nozzles 32 and 33 are disposed with their longitudinal axes arranged at an acute angle with the vertical axis of the bearing stud 31 and are furthermore inclined downwardly. These nozzles are each supported in a bearing bushing 34 disposed in diametrically opposed relationship in the head 30. Also, each of the nozzles 32 and 33 is provided with a plurality of discharge orifices 36, 37, 38 and 39 spaced lengthwise thereof. These orifices have different sizes, shapes and configurations in order to provide uniform distribution. For example, the orifice 38 is designed as -a long range nozzle to cause the water to form a jet traveling a considerable distance. On the other hand the orifices 39 effectively provide short range nozzles. In any event these orifices are so ldesigned so that substantially uniform distribution of water occurs `over the enti-re area surrounding the sprinkler, whether the sprinkler is adjusted for sprinkling an area of small extent or an area of large extent. The outer ends of each of the tubular nozzles 32 and 33 are closed by suitable screw caps 40 which are readily removable for cleaning purposes.

To the inner end of each nozzle 32 4and 33 is fixed a gear segment 41. These gear segments mesh with a pinion 42 fixed to the lower end of a stud 43 which is mounted for rotative movement in a cover 44 which is arranged -by suitable means to be held in sealing engagement with the head 30, thereby to define a closed -water chamber therein with a supply opening through the vertical bearing stud 31 and discharge openings leading to the nozzles 32 and 33. An indicator knob 45 is suitably fastened to the upper end of the stud 43 and provides manually operable means for imparting rotative motion to the stud 43 and pinion 42 with the result that simultaneous rotative movement is imparted to the nozzles 32 and '33 about the longitudinal axes of these nozzles. The lcover 44 and k-nob 45 are provided with suitable indicia and an associated cooperating index whereby the particular setting of the 'knob 45 and consequently `the particular magnitude of the area which will be covered for that setting of the sprinkler head is clearly indicated thereby. This indicia is effectively in the form of a dial scale and may be calibrated ,directly f in terms of the diameter of the area to be sprinkled or may comprise any other suitable scale. The cover 44 and knob 45 are provided with cooperating' portions for limiting the lextreme relative movements in either direction.

The nozzles 32 -and 33 maybe selectively adjusted from the positions shown in Fig. l of the drawings where the sprinkler is set for ycovering a minimum area, to positions where the orifices 36 lto 39 cause jets of water tending to approach a vertical direction vwhereby the maximum area of coverage is obtained. Actually ithe orifices can never cause jets to ibe directed Yin a vertical direction, since it is necessary that they be displaced from the vertical by a sufficient angle to -supply the reaction torque to cause rotation of the head 3'0. Relative movement 'between the cover 44 and the knob 45 .i

ris preferably limited so that these orifices 36 to 39 produce jets never approaching closer than about thirteen ydegrees from the vertical.

In the illustrated embodiment .of Figs. l to 10 of the drawings, the vcasting 27 .includes an upper tubular por-.N

tion 27a having its longitudinal axis vertically disposed so as to accommodate or receive the bearing stud 31. As illustrated, this lupper :tubular portion 27a has .an

internally threaded ,portion lfor :threadedly receiving a -vbearing :bushing 48 :formed of Bakelite or lother .suitable-f:

6 material. The casting 27 furthermore includes means for rotatably receiving a suitable drive shaft 49, a water shut-off valve generally designated by the reference numeral and a latch generally ,designated by the reference numeral 51, all of which elements are described in greater detail hereinafter. It will be understood -that the drive shaft 49 is provided to transmit rotary energy or torque from the bearing bushing 31 to suitable means for causing propulsion of the sprinkler over the surface to be sprinkled. The shut-off valve 50 is provided automatically to shut off the `water supplied to the sprinkler head under predetermined conditions. The latch 51 is provided for controlling the water shut-olf valve 50.

As best shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings, the casting 2? includes a horizontal cover plate 27b at the lower end thereof for attachment to the lower casting 26. It furthermore includes a vertical chamber or passageway 53 therein which is connected by a passageway 54 leadling to a` chamber 55 Afor the shut-olf valve 50, which chamber S5 is yalso connected by means such as a conventional hose coupling 56 with a source of water under press-ure. The lower portion of the casting 27 is provided with a pair of restrictions coaxially arranged with the drive shaft 49 to support ltherein suitable spaced bearings 57 and 53 for the drive shaft 49. Actually the cast-ing is so arranged that a portion of the drive sha-ft 49 disposed between bearings 57 and 58 is open to atmosphere, the purpose of which will become apparent from the following description.

In order that the supply of'water to the rotating ysprinkler head 39 may be shut off yautomatically under oer-tain conditions, the automatic shut-off valve 50 `of the present invention is provided. This shut-off valve comprises a valve seal-ing washer 60 which is adapted to eat on .an annular valve seat surrounding the end of the passageway 54 adjacent the valve chamber 55. When the valve scaling washer 60 is in engagement with the valve seat just mentioned, the supply -of water to the .chamber 53 and consequently tothe head 30 lis shut off.

For the purpose `of providing means for causing the valve 5@ to close, there is provided a valve closing spring y(2 illustrated as a coiled compression spring having one `end thereof in engagement l'with a valve backing member 63 engaging the nonsealing side of the valve sealing `washer 66 while the 4other end is in `engagement with a shoulder dened in ya threaded bushing member 56a forming Aa :part of the Ihose coupling member 56, which fbushing member threadedly .engages suitable threads defined in the .casting 27 in a passageway leading to valve chamber 5,0. With this construction the automatic shut-.off valve `Sii is y'constantly biased to the closed position.

In order to ,open .and .maintain open the automatic shut-off valve 50, there is provided avalve slide .66, best shown in Figs. 3 and .8 ofthe drawings. This valve slide includes a pin portion 66a which has one end thereof extending outside the lcasting 27 through a suitable uid seal 67 .and a 'bushing 68. As illustrated, the pin .portion ntmof the slide 66 xis .a separateelement united with a portion :6617 of the slide 66 having a large central opening 79 for permitting :the drive shaft 49 to .extend therethrough. :Moreoverthis opening is suiciently large so .that movement of the slide 66 -in the direction of its longitudinal axis can occur without interference from the drive shaft 49. The end `of rthe slide 66 adjacent-the lvalve chamber 55 is suitably connected, as by an 'extension 66C, with the -valve :backing member 63 and an :associated washer 71, which washer provides an anchor for the end of the compression spring 62 engaging the automatic shut-off valve :'50, asis best shown in Fig. 8 of the drawings.

lFroman examination of Figs. 3 and 8 of the drawings it lwill 'be apparent that the automatic shut-,off valve 50 may be moved to .the open position if the'pin 66a is -plished by means of the latch 51 referred to above, which comprises an L-shaped member pivotally mounted by a pin 73 to a boss 74 extending upwardly from the portion 27b of the casting 27. The L-shaped latch 51 is furthermore of somewhat hollow configuration, as is clearly evident from Fig. 3 of the drawings, including a leg portion 51a having a surface disposed to engage the slide pin 66a. As illustrated in Fig. 3 of the drawings, when the latch 51 is pivoted in a counterclockwise direction about pivot pin 73 as by applying pressure to the portion 51a, the slide 66 is moved in a direction to open the valve 50.

For the purpose of holding the latch 51 in the position shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings to maintain automatic shut-off valve 50 in the open position against the bias of spring 62, the other end of the L-shaped latch 51, designated by the reference numeral 51b, has attached thereto a suitable latching member 77. This latching member is indicated as being fastened to the latch 51 by a suitable screw 78. An adjusting screw 79 is provided, accessible to the operator of the sprinkler to adjust the latching end of the latching member 51 to cooperate with a suitable trigger described hereinafter.

As a general proposition it is usually desirable to have the sprinkler automatically terminate the sprinkling operation when the area to be sprinkled has been completely covered and means for closing the automatic shut-off valve when this occurs are described in detail hereinafter. However, many times it is desirable to operate a traveling sprinkler as a non-traveling sprinkler and under these conditions, as will be apparent from the following description, the automatic shut-off valve 50 must he maintained in the open position regardless of the operating condition of latch 51. There is therefore provided, in accordance with the present invention, additional means for holding the automatic shut-off valve open when the sprinkler is to be operated as a stationary sprinkler in the manner of the sprinkler shown in the above mentioned Jepson Patent 2,335,821. To this end, as best shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 7, there is provided a setting lever 80 pivotally mounted as by a screw 81 to the casting 27 adjacent the portion thereof where the pin 66a of the slide 66 protrudes. Moreover, the pin 66a is indicated as having a portion of reduced cross section 82 thereby defining a shoulder 83 at the protruding end thereof. The pivotal lever 80 is provided at its lower end with a notched out portion 84 adapted to engage the shoulder 83 when the setting lever 80 is moved to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 7. Under these conditions the automatic shut-off valve 50 is maintained in the open position and the sprinkler may be operated as an ordinary stationary sprinkler. Moreover under these conditions if it is operated as a traveling sprinkler it will not shut itself olf at the end of the operation when the latch 51 is released. Preferably the setting lever 80 is provided with suitable indicia to indicate the condition thereof as clearly shown in Fig. 7 of the drawings. This indicia indicates that for one position thereof the sprinkler will shut itself off while for the other position the sprinkler will stay on.

For the purpose of drivingly relating the rotating sprinkler stud 31 and the drive shaft 49 in a manner to permit ready assembly of the sprinkler parts, the bushing stud 31 is provided at its lower end with an enlargement 31a including diametrically opposed slots 87 for receiving a drive shaft key 88 connected to the upper end of the drive shaft 49 in any suitable manner. With this arrangement, of course, the bushing 48 may be removed from the casting 27, thereby permitting removal of the entire sprinkler head assembly while the drive shaft 49 and drive shaft key 88 remain in position. The enlargement 31a on the rotating hollow bushing stud 31 will of course prevent removal of the sprinkler head 30 when the bushing 48 is in the as sembled position shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings.

As illustrated in Fig. 3 of the drawings, the drive shaft 49 actually extends only through the bearing 57 and terminates in the open space defined in the casting 27. The lower end of the drive shaft 49 within this open space is provided with a water slinger which will tend to throw out any water happening to escape through the bearing 57. This bearing 57 is designed as a watertight bearing but obviously some water may escape therethrough and the slinger 90 prevents such water from entering the gear casing to be described hereinafter, defined by the castings 26 and 27.

As was mentioned above, movement of the sprinkler of the present invention over the area to be sprinkled is accomplished by reeling up a line or tape which is initially strung out along the area to be sprinkled, which reeling up operation causes the sprinkler to pull itself toward the end of the line or tape which is anchored to a suitable fixed point. As illustrated in the drawings, the casting 26 has defined at the under side thereof a suitable circular reel chamber for accommodating a reel 96 rotatably mounted about a vertical axis. The reel chamber and reel are best shown in Figs. 3 and 6 of the drawings and, as illustrated, the reel includes an annular lateral liange 96a and an annular vertical portion 96h about which a suitable tape 99 may be wound, the annular flange 96a extending beneath the coils of the tape to hold the same confined within the annular tape chamber 95. Actually the annular circular portion 96h is provided with inwardly directed gear teeth 100 so as to define an annular gear 101 rotatable with the reel about a projection 26C of the casting 26 which supports a reel bushing 97. The end of the tape 99 is looped as indicated at 102 and is attached to a pin 103 inserted in a suitable socket defined in the reel 96, which socket projects below the bottom surface of the reel to define a handle 104 for manually rotating the reel when it is desired to rewind the tape 99 manually. As illustrated, the reel 96 is held in rotative relationship with the bushing 97 and consequently the projection 26C of the casting 26 by a suitable washer 105 and a fastening means 106, the latter indicated as a screw threadedly engaged with a threaded opening in the projection 26e.

In accordance with the present invention, the circular reel chamber 95 is connected to a tape channel 108 extending into the base and dened by a projection 26d of the casting 26, which forms a partial housing for the portion 51b of the latch 51 and other associated parts to be described hereinafter. The junction between the tape channel 108 and the reel chamber 95 defines a smooth curve indicated at 110 to guide the tape 99 in moving onto or off from the reel 96. Moreover the tape passes through a suitable opening 111 in the casting 26 over the base portion 26a and is guided by a suitable tape guide 112 described in greater detail hereinafter.

In order that the tape or line 99 may be attached to a suitable fastening means, the end not attached to the pin 103 is connected by a suitable chain connector 113 with a short length of chain 114 connected to a swivel eye snap 115, best shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, which latter may readily be connected to any fixed support such as a building, a tree or the like. In order that such support may be completely flexible in so far as the location thereof is concerned, there preferably is provided at least one and preferably several stakes generally designated at 116, best shown in Figs. 2, 17 and 20 of the drawings. The stake preferably includes a portion 117 adapted to be inserted in the ground and a hand grip portion 118 including a suitable opening 119 for attaching the swivel eye snap thereto. For a purpose which will later become apparent, the hand grip portion 118 is preferably provided with a pair of spaced protuberances 118a on the closed side thereof. It will be apparent that if the stake 116 is inserted in the ground it will provide a fixed support to- `9 ward which the sprinkler '25 will move by virtue of reeling up .the tape or line 99. Preferably the line or tape 99 ycomprises steel tape of the type which is often employed for measuring purposes. This is desirable since a large number of feet thereof can be conned in a very small space and the reel 96 preferably is designed to accommodate one hundred feet of tape.

For the purpose of further guiding the tape 99 in its movement from the reel 96 through the opening 111, there is additionally provided a tape guide roller 22 pivotally mounted as indicated at 123 to the portion 26d of the casting 26. This roller support 123 is also employed in the illustrated embodiment to support a suitable trigger 124 which is provided with suitable laterally extending ears v124z through which the pivot pin 123 extends. This trigger 124 includes an opening 126 through which the tape 9.9 extends and a lateral projection 124b beneath the opening 126, which projection extends through the opening 111 in the casting .26. The opening 126 is suiciently large 'to permit free movement of the tape 99 therethrough but will not permit the chain connector 113 to pass therethrough. The upper end of the trigger 124 is adapted for engagement with the latching element 77, which latter is provided with a projection 77a to limit the maximum counterclockwise rotation of the trigger 124. When the trigger 124 is in the latching position indicated in Fig. 3, the latch 51 holds the automatic shut-off valve 50 open regardless of the position of setting lever 80. A suitable trigger spring 128 in the form of a hairpin spring lhaving its central portion supported adjacent the pivot 'pin 123 biases the trigger 124 in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 3 of the drawings, one end of the trigger spring engaging the lower end of the trigger 124 and the other end engaging a suitable projection 26e (Fig. l) integral with the casting 26 and forming a portion of the tape guide means.

The tape guide means 112 is best shown in Figs. 3 and l0 of the drawings and is disposed within the housing defined by the portion 26d of the casting 26. It is a somewhat Z-shaped member which cooperates with the curved wall portion 110 so as to dene a relatively narrow channel 130 (Fig. 10). This Z-shaped guide member 112 is fastened to the casting by suitable screws 131.

It will be understood that the sprinkler head 30 rotates at relatively high speed, which speed varies to some extent depending upon whether the setting for a large or a small area is obtained by the particular position of the knob 45. For the setting indicated in Fig. 3, the sprinkler rotates at a maximum speed, whereas for the other extreme setting of the sprinkler a lower speed of rotation results. In any event, the speed is much too high directly to drive the reel 96. This reel must be driven at a very low speed in order to cause very limited forward movement of the sprinkler 25. It will furthermore be understood that, since the same amount of water is supplied to the sprinkler normally whether the sprinkler is set for an area having a diameter of iifty feet or an area having a diameter of five feet, if the sprinkler moves forward with the same speed when set'to sprinkle an area having a live foot diameter as when set to sprinkle a fifty foot diameter area, far too much water will be applied in the former case, assuming that for the fifty foot diameter area the proper amount of water is applied. The sprinkler head 30 of the present invention inherently 4provides the correct operation, since when set to sprinkle a small area its speed of rotation is so much greater that it will cause movement of the sprinkler over the area at a higher speed than when set to sprinkle a large area. Thus uniform sprinkling is obtained which is about the same regardless of the area sprinkled. In order to drive the reel 96 from the drive shaft 49 at a speed greatly 'reduced from that of the drive shaft 49, a suitable reduction gear mechanism is necessary. This reduction gear mechanism lmight comprise a worm arrangement such as "is shown for the sprinkler of Fig. 3 'oranother gear larconnection with Fig. ll o'f the drawings. In any event the castings '26 and '27 are so designed to define upon assembly thereof a gear chamber 140, which gear chamber connects with the opening in bearing 58. A suitable shaft 141 having a worm gear 142 formed thereon is journalled in bearing 58 and has its lower end journalled in a bearing 143 defined in casting 26. A suitable thrust bearing 144 is preferably also provided to take the end thrust by virtue of the weight of the sprinkler head and associated drive mechanism. As illustrated, the worm shaft 141 is provided with a readily removable connection with the drive shaft 49, thereby facilitating assembly of the sprinkler parts. It will be understood that the castings 26 and 27 are suitably fastened together by fastening means comprising screws 146 to define .a closed gear chamber which is preferably completely filled with a suitable gear lubricant.

ln order to transmit at reduced speed the rotative torque of the drive shaft .141, there is provided a second worm shaft 147 including a worm section 148 and a worm gear 149, the latter being in driving engagement with the worm 142. This worm shaft 147 is journalled in sui-table bearings 150 and 151 defined within the gear chamber 140. The worm 148 is in driving engagement with a worm gear 152 having a hollow shaft portion 154 journalled in a bearing 155 defined in the casting 27.

It will be understood that if it is desirable to operate the sprinkler as an ordinary stationary sprinkler rather than a traveling sprinkler, means must be provided to -prevent the reel 96 from rotating in response to rotation of the drive shaft 49. Accordingly, a suitable clutch is provided interposed between the worm gear 152 and the annular gear 101 in the reel 96. To this end the lower end of the shaft 154 comprising the hub portion of the gear 152 is provided with a clutch face, preferably in the form of radial notches or the like 158, which engage with cooperating teeth or notches 159 on the end of a member 160 drivingly connected to a gear shaft 161 journalled in a bearing 161g and having disposed at the lower end thereof a gear 162, which drivingly engages the annular gear 101 as is clearly shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings. A suitable spring 163, illustrated as a coiled compression spring, is interposed between the lower face or the hub of the worm gear 152 and a suitable shoulder defined on the element 160, thereby normally biasing the clutch faces comprising the elements 158 and 159 out 4of driving engagement. As long as the spring 163 is eifective to prevent such driving engagement, worm gear 152 will rotate while permitting gear 162 to remain stationary. It will be apparent that with the above described arrangement including the two worms 142 and 148 a very great reduction in speed between the reel 96 and the drive shaft 49 occurs. Y

In order to control the effectiveness of the clutch comprising the elements 158 and 159, means are provided bodily to move the hollow shaft 154 rotatable within the bearing 155 in an axial direction and to this end a suitable head or adaptor 165 is disposed on the upper end of the shaft 154, preferably with a portion projecting into the hollow space defined therein. With this arrangement adaptor 165 need not rotate while permitting rotation of shaft 154. This head or adaptor 165 has a a'ttened portion 1'65a arranged for engagement with a bifurcated projection 51e (Fig. 9) of the latch 51 so that when the latch 51 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction about pivot 73 as viewed in Fig. 3 of the drawings to open automatic shut-off valve 50, it simultaneously moves the cap 165 and vgear 152 downwardly to provide a driving connection between the drive shaft 49 and the reel driving gear 162. Preferably 'a suitable grease seal 167 is provided to prevent grease from the gear casing 140 from escaping kthrough the sliding connection due to reciprocal movement of the shaft 154.

-From the above ydescription it will be apparent ythat the chain connector 113 will also serve to actuate the trigger 124, since it is sufciently large so as not to move through the opening 126. Continued rotation of the reel 96 when the chain connector 113 engages the surface surrounding the opening 126 and the trigger 124 will cause clockwise rotation of the trigger 124 about pivot 123 to release the latch portion 77 of the latch 51. Such action causes latch 51 to pivot about pin 73 under the influence of clutch spring 165 and also shut-off valve spring 62, assuming that setting lever 80 permits this spring to be effective to close automatic shut-off valve 50, which would normally be the case when the sprinkler is used as a traveling sprinkler. This action causes disengagement of the clutch between drive shaft 49 and reel 96, thus stopping further movement of the traveling sprinkler 25. Moreover, if the shut-off valve 50 is permitted to close by virtue of the setting of lever 80 to the solid line position shown in Fig. 7, no further water will be supplied to the chamber 53 and hence sprinkling will be terminated.

It will be apparent that under these conditions water under pressure will be confined within the hose or conduit that connects the sprinkler to a source of water under pressure. This pressure within the hose or conduit will make it dicult to disconnect the sprinkler from the hose or the hose from the source of water under pressure. In accordance with the present invention there is provided a relief valve 175 which is adapted for threaded engagement into a suitable opening 176 leading to the shut-oli valve chamber 55, best shown in Fig. 8 of the drawings. This relief valve comprises a manually actuable plunger 177 disposed for reciprocal movement in a valve body 178. To the end of the plunger 177 is attached a suitable valve member 179 arranged for seating engagement with a suitable opening in the valve body 78 so as to complete a relief passageway between the valve chamber 55 and atmosphere through a passageway 180 dened in the casting 27. A spring 182 normally biases the relief valve into sealing engagement so that normally the valve chamber 50 is a closed chamber. When, however, it is desired to relieve the pressure in this valve chamber when automatic shut-oit valve 50 is closed, the operator merely depresses the manual plunger 177, thereby releasing the confined pressure, whereby the hose may readily be disconnected from the sprinkler.

In view of the detailed description included above, the operation of the traveling sprinkler of the present invention will readily be understood by those skilled in the art. In getting ready to use the traveling sprinkler, the operator will first decide upon the path that this sprinkler is to follow and will set the sprinkler at the place where initial sprinkling is desired. Furthermore, the tape 99 will be pulled out of the reel chamber merely by grasping the end of the chain connector 113 and pulling out the desired length of tape. The swivel eye snap 115 is then attached to a suitable stake 116 or otherfastening means, which is located at the place the traveling sprinkler will eventually reach upon completion of the sprinkling operation. If a straight line path between the initial sprinkler location and that of the stake 116 is not to be followed by the sprinkler, then additional stakes may be inserted at certain positions, whereby the sprinkler may travel in a non-linear path as is readily apparent from an examination of Figs. 2O and 2l of the drawings. The knob 45 of the sprinkler is then adjusted for the width of the space to be covered. Furthermore, the setting lever 80 is adjusted preferably to the solid line position of Fig. 7, whereby the sprinkler will automatically shut itself off at the end of the sprinkling operation. The latch 51 is then actuated simultaneously to open the automatic shut-ofi valve 50 and to actuate the clutch comprising elements 158 and 159, thereby completing the driving connection between the drive shaft 49 and the reel 96. The water may then be turned on at a suitable control point so that water is supplied through hose connector 56 to the sprinkler 25, whereupon sprinkling will ensue and very low speed rotation of reel 96 will cause the tape which has been pulled out of the reel chamber to wind back on to the reel with a resultant movement of the sprinkler toward the stake 116. It will be understood that when the latch 51 is actuated to open valve 50 and cause engagement of the drive clutch, the trigger 124 will move to the latching position shown in Fig. 3, thus maintaining the valve 50 open and the clutch engaged. Upon the sprinkler reaching the chain connector 113, the latter will engage and subsequently actuate the trigger 124 to release the latch 51 with the resultant disengagement of the clutch driving the reel 96 and closure of the automatic shut-off valve 50.

Should it be desired to operate the sprinkler 25 as a stationary sprinkler, the setting lever will be moved to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 7 to hold the valve 50 in the open position. It may be necessary under certain conditions to actuate the latch 51 to open the valve 50, whereupon the lever 80 may be moved to its valve holding open position. Thereafter the latch 51 may be released as by releasing trigger 124 so that the driving connection between the driving shaft 49 and the reel 96 is broken. If now water is supplied to the hose connection 56, the sprinkler will rotate and sprinkle as an ordinary stationary sprinkler, since no movement thereof over the area to be sprinkled will occur. Thus one may acquire only the sprinkler disclosed and described above, which will function both as an ordinary stationary sprinkler as well as a traveling sprinkler.

The present invention has another important advantage in that there is provided an arrangement whereby the sprinkler 25 may be used as a stationary sprinkler which will turn the water olf automatically after a predetermined time has elapsed. This is possible by virtue of the fact that the tape 99 may be used as an automatic timing device. By way of example, a certain number of feet of tape 99 may be pulled from the reel 96, the number of feet depending upon the length of time that it is desired for the sprinkler to operate in one stationary position. For this type of operation no stake is employed, but the sprinkler is merely set into operation by actuating the latch 51 in the same manner as if the sprinkler were operated as a traveling sprinkler described above, the sole difference being that the end of the pulledout tape is not attached to a stake. Consequently the sprinkler will merely wind up the tape and when the connector 113 reaches the trigger 124, the latch 51 is tripped to permit closure of valve 50 and stopping of the sprinkling operation.

Referring now to Figs. ll to 2l of the drawings, there is illustrated another embodiment of the present invention which at present is believed to be the preferred embodiment, although essentially these sprinklers are substantially identical in many respects. Where the corresponding parts are identical or substantially so, the same reference numerals are employed in connection with the embodiment of Fig, ll as in connection with the embodiment of Fig. 3. Referring now to Figs. 11 to 2l, there is illustrated a sprinkler generally designated by the reference numeral 183 which employs the identical sprinkler head 3i) of the preceding embodiment including the rotatable bearing stud 31, the control knob 45 and the nozzles 32 and 33. Instead of employing a twopart casting as was the case in Fig. 3, there is employed a unitary casting generally designated as 184, which provides the same base configuration as in the preceding embodiment, together with very similar arrangements for the shut-off valve, the drive shaft, the setting lever and the latch described above. As illustrated, the casting 184 comprises a circular base having a narrow annular portion 184g adapted for engagement with the ground surface to be sprinkled. The lower end of the casting is arranged to define a large hollow chamber generally designated at 185 for accommodating a suitable gear housing as well as the reel 96 already described.

The chamber 185 is essentially a circular chamber, as best shown in Fig. l2 vof the drawings, including a lateral extension designated as chamber section 185g for accommodating a suitable tape guide and trigger similar to these parts already described. Moreover the edges of the circular portion of the chamber 133 are provided with suitable ribs 184i: integral with the casting 181 to define positioning means for the gear housing to be described hereinafter as Well as guide means for the tape 99 disposed on the reel 96.

The casting 184 is also arranged so as to substantially enclose the major portion of a latch 186 quite similar to the latch 51 described heretofore. A manually actuable portion of the latch 186 protrudes through a suitable opening 187 in the casting 184. The remainder of the latch 186 is disposed within the chamber 185 and its projection 18501, described above. This latch is pivotally mounted on a suitable pin 188 extending through the Walls of the casting 184 defining the chamber portion 18551. The latch 186 is effectively designed as a sort of a hollow bell crank with a projection 186a for engaging the valve slide pin 66a to actuate the automatic shut-oif valve 50, a projection 1861) to actuate the clutch for controlling the drive between the reel gear 101 and a suitable drive shaft 49, and a projection 1S6c which is provided with means to receive an adjustable pin 190 defining a latch member for engagement with the trigger 124. The latch member 190 is indicated as having a slotted head accessible ythrough an opening 192 in the casting 184 whereby the operator may merely insert a screwdriver to make the desired latch adjustment. Actually this latch will be adjusted at the factory and except for wear probably will never need further adjustment.

The construction of the automatic shut-off valve 50, the valve slide 66, the relief valve 17S, the hose coupling 56 and the like of the sprinkler 103 are so similar to those shown in Fig. 3 that the same reference numerals are applied thereto and no further discussion thereof is included herewith. Similarly, the casting 184 is provided with a tubular vertical portion 184e defining a tubular water chamber 193 which is substantially identical with the corresponding arrangement of Fig. 3. Disposed Within this chamber is the drive shaft 49 and the drive shaft key 88 engaging with a cooperating portion 31a of the stud 31. The lower end of the water chamber `193 is closed except for an opening along the axis thereof for receiving a suitable bearing 195 for the drive shaft 49. A suitable drive shaft collar 196 is provided to limit the downward movement and effectively take the end thrust of the drive shaft 49. Preferably the bearing 195 is a bearing which is effectively fiuid-tight but, should water escape therethrough, the lower end of drive shaft 49 is provided with a water slinger 197 to prevent water from entering the gear chamber to be described hereinafter.

As in the preceding embodiment, there is provided a suitable setting lever 190 pivotally mounted by a screw 199 to the casting 134, which casting is provided with a slot 200 to permit the lever 198 to extend therethrough. The lower end of this lever may be substantially indentical with the lower end of the setting lever 80 to cooperate with the pin 66a as already discussed above. Preferably and as best shown in Fig. 16, the top of the casting 184 adjacent the slot 200 for the setting lever 193 is provided with suitable indicia to indicate the particular settings of this lever, namely whether the automatic shut-off valve S is permitted by this lever to move to the closed position or whether it is held in the open position thereby.

One of the major dierences between the sprinkler 183 and the sprinkler 25 described above resides in the fact that a separate gear casing generally designated at 202 is provided in the sprinkler 183, which gear casing is not defined by any part of the casting comprising the sprinkler support already described. Actually, and as illustrated best in Figs. 1l, l2 and l5, the gear casing 202 comprises an inverted can 203 open at the bottom, which confines a pair of bearing plates 204 and 205. The bearing plate 204 is effectively the upper bearing plate and is disposed against theinside top -of the gear case 202. The bearing plate 205 is effectively a bottom bearing plate which also serves as a closure member for the inverted can 203, thus defining therein a gear chamber 207. This gear housing 202 includes an opening near the central top thereof for the reception of an ordinary spur gear 206 fastened to the lower end of drive shaft 49. As best shown in Fig. l1, the gear casing is provided with a anged opening to accommodate gear 206 andthe water slinger 197 comprises an inverted cover member which overlaps the flanged opening, thereby preventing any water from entering the gear chamber. The gear chamber moreover includes a lower opening for accommodating the clutch bearing 161a for the shaft 203 attached to the gear 162, which drives the annular gear 101 associated with the reel 96. An additional opening through the gear casing 202 is necessary to accommodate the rotatable and reciprocating shaft member 209 actuated by the projection 186b .of the latch 106 to complete the driving connection from the drive shaft 49 to the reel 96.

For the purpose .of holding the upper and lower plates 204 and 205, the inverted can 203 and associated apparatus disposed therein in proper position relative to the casting 184, suitable fastening means 211 are employed which extend through tubular bolts 212. The tubular bolts 212 effectively hold the casing portions of the gear case 202 in assembled relationship while the screws 211 clamp the gear casing into position in the chamber 185, as best shown in Fig. l5 of the drawings. As illustrated, the hollow bolts 212 have their head ends engaging the bottom plate 205, while their threaded ends pass through the plate 204 and the can 203. A suitable nut 213 holds the casing in assembled relationship so that it may be inserted or removed as a unit from within the chamber 185 of the casing 184. The drive shaft 49 and associated gear 206 will 'remain in the bearing 195 when gear casing 202 is removed, the gear 206 being moved out of driving engagement with the associated reduction ygears to be described hereinafter disposed within the casing 202.

For the purpose of .supporting the reel 96 within the chamber 183, ythe bottom plate of the gear casing 202 has attached thereto a suitable reel stud 215, which is received within the reel bushing 216, the reel being held in place by the washer and fastening means 106, substantially identical with those of the preceding embodiment.

In accordance with the arrangement disclosed in Figs. ll and l2 of the drawings, the great reduction in speed of rotation between the drive shaft 49 and the reel 96 is obtained by a reduction gear drive comprising a series of four large gears, three of which having integrally associated therewith a cooperating small gear. The large gears are designated by the reference numerals 218, 219, 220 and 221 respectively, with the associated small gears being designated by the reference numerals 218a, 21%, and 220a, the large gear 221 having no small gear associated therewith. As illustrated, the gear 206 connected to the drive shaft 49 meshes with the large gear 218, thereby giving a substantial speed reduction of the shaft 222 of the large gear 218 suitably `journalled in the gear casing 202. The small gear 218:1, also associated with the shaft 222, then lmeshes with the large gear 219, thus causing a further speed reduction of the shaft 223 with which the large and small gears 219 and 21911 are associated. The small gear 219er in turn meshes with the large gear 220 to cause a still further speed reduction of a shaft 224 with which the large gear 220 yand the small gear 220e are associated. This small gear 220a in turn drives the gear 221 rotatable with the lhollow shaft 209 which rotates at the same speed as the gear 162 when the reel 96 is in driving relationship with the shaft 49. It will be understood that this chain of gears provides the required speed reduction 15 and to insure proper lubrication the gear case 202 is filled with a suitable gear grease.

As in the preceding embodiment, a suitable clutch is interposed between the hollow shaft 209 of the gear 221 and the gear 162. This clutch arrangement is best shown in Figs. 13 and 14 where the shaft 209 is illustrated as a hollow shaft being suitably staked or otherwise secured as indicated at 227 to the gear 221. Moreover the gear 221 is provided with a pair of diametrically opposed drive clutch pins 229 which have a sort of a cone shaped portion projecting from the lower face of the gear 221. The shaft 20S for the reel drive gear 162 disposed in the bearing 161a in the bottom plate 20S has a portion 20811 projecting into the hollow space within the shaft 209 and mounted on this extension immediately beneath the gear 221 is a driven clutch plate 230 including a pair of diametrically opposed projections 231 adapted for engagement with the drive clutch pins 229. A suitable compression spring, illustrated as a conically shaped coil spring 233, is interposed between the shaft 209 and the driven clutch plate 230, normally to separate these members suiiciently so that the drive clutch pins 229 are out of engagement with the projections 231. However upon downward movement of the shaft 209 with the resultant cornpression of the spring 233, the clutch pins 229 engage the driven clutch projections 231, thereby rotating gear 162 in response to rotation of gear 221. The upper end of the hollow shaft 209 is provided with a suitable head 235 engageable by the projection 186b of the latch 186, whereby engagement or disengagement of the clutch at the will of the operator may be obtained through manipulation of latch 186.

For the purpose of guiding the tape 99 in its movement from the reel 96 through the opening 111 in the casting 184, there is provided a tape guide 237, best shown in Fig. 19 of the drawings. This tape guide 237 comprises a pair of cooperating Z-shaped members 237a and 237b suitably fastened to the casting 184 by screws or fastening means 238. These cooperating members 237a and 237b define a suitable channel 239 therebetween for guiding the tape 99 therethrough.

ln view of the detailed description included above, the operation of the traveling sprinkler 183 will readily be understood by those skilled in the art. If the area to be sprinkled is one in which the sprinkler 183 may move along a straight line, then the operating set-up shown in Fig. 17 may be employed. ln this case a hose or water conduit 240 is attached to the sprinkler 183 without turning on the water to the hose. The sprinkler dial 45 is then set to the proper sprinkling area between a setting of ve and fifty feet. It should be noted that in Fig. 6 of the drawings, the maximum, or fifty foot, setting is employed. With the clutch disengaged the desired amount of tape 99 is pulled out through the opening 111, the

amount of tape up to one hundred feet depending upon the distance the sprinkler is expected to travel. The anchor stake 116 is pushed into the ground all the way so that the hand grip 118 engages with the ground surface as clearly shown in Fig. 17. The gear engaging trigger 186 is now actuated until a distinct click is heard, indieating that the trigger 124 has made latching engagement with the latching element 190 as shown in Fig. l1 of the drawings. If it is desired for the sprinkler to be shut off automatically at the end of travel, the setting lever 19S should be set to the shut-olf position. On the other hand, if sprinkling is expected to be continued at the end of travel of the sprinkler, this lever is set to its stays on position. The water may now be turned on at the source and the sprinkler will operate as a traveling sprinkler, moving in the direction of the arrows in Fig. 17. When the sprinkler has moved so that the connector 113 actuates the trigger 124, release of the clutch occurs and the sprinkler either shuts off or not, and in any event remains stationary, depending upon the initial setting of the lever 198.

Should it be desired to have the sprinkler travel in a non-linear path between its initial position and its final position, an operating set-up similar to that shown in Figs. 2O and 2l may be employed. In this case one or more additional stakes such as 116 are provided. In the arrangement shown in Figs. 20 and 2l, a single additional stake 116 is employed whereby the sprinkler 'travels along a straight path toward the additional stake and thereafter changes direction of travel and moves toward the final stake 116 to which the swivel snap 11S is connected. The function of the protuberances 118a now becomes apparent, since these protuberances provide a guide to prevent the tape 99 from slipping up over the stake disposed between the initial and final positions of the traveling sprinkler. It will be understood that instead of protuberances 118a a suitable ridge or other deformation which will tend to prevent the tape 99 from slipping off from the intermediate stake 116 may be employed. The operation of the arrangement of Figs. 20 and 21 will readily be apparent from a mere examination of these figures. The intermediate stake 116 causes the tape 99 to assume a path other than a straight line, an L-shaped path being shown in Fig. 2l. As the sprinkler approaches the intermediate stake 116 indicated by the dotted line position adjacent this stake, the tape 99 slips over the protuberances i18n and thereafter the sprinkler 183 will remain stationary at the dotted line position of Fig. 2l until the slack in the tape which is now available due to the tape slipping off from the intermediate stake is reeled up on reel 96. Thereafter the sprinkler 183 is rotated slightly so as to be pointed towards the final stake and the path of travel thereafter is indicated by the arrows in Fig. 2l.

From the above discussion it will be appreciated that there has been provided a new and improved traveling sprinkler which may be operated as a stationary sprinkler covering a variable area, as a traveling sprinkler which automatically shuts itself of, as a traveling sprinkler which does not shut itself off, and as a stationary sprinkler which automatically shuts itself off after a predetermined time has elapsed. Moreover, this sprinkler is capable of giving many years of foolproof operation and is a compact unit which involves no storage problem with the ordinary householder.

While there have been illustrated and described several embodiments of the present invention, it will be understool that numerous changes and modifications will occur to those skilled in the art. It is intended in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. A sprinkler comprising a support including a base portion and a vertically disposed sleeve section, a housing in said base portion beneath said sleeve section, a rotatable bearing stud journalled in said sleeve section for rotation about a vertical axis, a rotary reaction type sprinkler head mounted on said stud and rotatable therewith when water under pressure is supplied to said head, a reel disposed in said housing and supported for rotation on a vertical axis, a tape capable of being wound on said reel and having one end thereof attached to said reel, valve means for controlling the flow of water to said head comprising a member movable to a predetermined position to prevent the ow of water to said head, manually actuable means for moving said member to a position to permit the ow of water to said head, latch means for maintaining said member in the last named position, gear means rotatable with said bearing stud drivingly connected to said reel whereby rotation of said reel winds said tape thereon, a latch releasing means attached to said tape adjacent the end remote from said one end, and means responsive to said latch releasing means approaching to within a predetermined distance of said reel for releasl 7 ing said' latch. and' effectively moving said valve te the closed position. p

2. In a sprinkler of the type capable of automatically shutting" itself on after a predetermined sprinkling operation, the combination of a support including a base portion and a vertically disposed sleeve section, a housing in said base portion beneath said sleeve section,- a rotatable bearing stud journalled in said sleeve section for rotation about a vertical axis, a water distributing means mounted on said support, means for rotating said bearing stud when water under pressure issupplied to said sprinkler, a reel disposed in said housing and supported for rotation about a vertical axis, a flat flexibley tape capable of being' wound on said reel and having one end thereof attached to said reel, said reel having a tape receiving portion approximately the width of said tape, valve means for controlling the flow of water to said sprinkler comprising a member biased to a predetermined position to prevent the flow of water to said sprinkler, manually actuabl'e meansV for moving said member to ai position to permit the flow of water to saidsprinkler, latch means for maintaining said member in the last namedl position, reduction gear means rotatable with said bearing stud drivingly connected to said reel whereby rotation of said reel winds said tape thereon, a latch releasing means connected to said tape adjacent the other end thereof, and means responsive to said latch releasing means approaching said reel for releasing said latch and effectively moving said valve to the closed position, the sprinkling operation of said sprinkler being variable in dependence upon the amount of tape between said latch releasing means and said reel to be wound on said reel.

3". In a sprinkler of the type capable of automatically shutting itself on after a predetermined sprinkling operation, the combination of a support including a base portion and a vertically disposed sleeve section, said base portion' defining a completely closed housing beneath said sieeve' section, a rotatable bearing stud journalledA in said sleeve section for rotation about a vertical axis, a rotary reaction type sprinkler head for rotating said bearing stud when Water under pressure is supplied to' said head, a reel disposed in said housing and supported for rotation therein about a verticalaxis, a flexible metal tape capable of being wound on said reel with the width of a roll of said tape comprising a plurality of turns being no greater than the width of a single turn, said tape having one end thereof attached to' said reel, valve means for controlling the flow of Water to said head comprising a member movable to a predetermined position to prevent the How of water to said head, manually actuable means for moving said memf ber to a position to permit the now of water to said head, latch means for maintaining said member in the last named position, gear means rotatable with said bearing stud drivingly connected to said reel whereby rotation of said reel winds said tape thereon, and an element attached to said tape for releasing said latch and effectively moving said valve` to the closed position when a predetermined portion of said tape has been wound on said reel, the sprinkling operation of said sprinkler being variable in dependence upon the amount of tape between said element and said reel to be wound on said reel.

4. In a traveling sprinkler the combination of a support including a base portion shaped for sliding movement over an area to' be sprinkled, a reel mounted for rotation in said support, a eXible tape capable of being Woundv on said reel and having one end thereof attached to said -reel and the other end thereof capable of being attached to a fixed support, a shaft journalled in said first mentioned support, water pressure responsive means for rotating said shaft in response to supplying water under 'pressure to said sprinkler, reduction gear means connected to be driven by said shaft, means including a clutch for' driving'ly relating said reduction gear means and said reel whereby when said clutch is engaged said reel is rotated in response to rotation of said shafamanually 18 actuable' means for engaging said clutch, latch means for maintaining said clutch in engagement, and mea-ns movable with said tape for actuating said latch to disengage said clutch when a predetermined amount of said tape has been wound on said reel.

5. In a traveling sprinkler the combination of a support including a base portion shaped for sliding movement over an area to be sprinkled, a reel mounted for rotation in said support, a flexible tape capable of being wound on said reel and having one end thereof attached to said reel and the other end capable of being attached to a fixed support, a shaft journalled in' said first mentioned support, water pressure responsive means for rotating' said shaft in response to supplying water under pressure to said sprinker, reduction gear means connected to be driven by said shaft, means including a clutch for drivingly relating said reduction gear means and said reel whereby when said clutch is engaged said reel is rotated in response to rotation of said shaft, manually actuable means for engaging said clutch, latch means for maintaining said clutch in engagement, and means movable with said tape for actuating said latch to disengage said clutch when a predetermined amount of said tape has been wound on said reel and said sprinkler has moved toward said fixed support.

6. A self propelled traveling sprinkler comprising a support, a rotatable bearing stud journalled in said support for rotation about a vertical axis, a rotary reaction type sprinkler' head mounted on said stud and rotatable therewith when water under pressure is supplied to said head, valve means for controlling the flow of water to said head comprising a movable valve member, spring means for biasing said valve member to the closed position, manually actuable means for moving said valve member to the open position, latch means for automatically latching said valve member in the open position when moved to that position in response to operation of said manually actuable means, a rotatable reel mounted in said support having a flexible tape wound thereon with one end of said tape connected to said' reel, means for driving said reel at reduced speed in response to rotation of said bearing stud to wind said tape on said reel, bodily movement of said sprinkler occurring when the other end of said tape is fastened to a stationary member, and a clutch interposed between said reel and said stud, said manually actuabl'e means including means for rendering said clutch eiective to drive said reel in response to rotation of said clutch simultaneously with the movement of said valve member to the open position.

7. A self propelled traveling sprinkler comprising a support including a base portion and a vertically disposed sleeve section, a housing defined in said support beneath said sleeve section, a rotatable bearing stud journall'ed in said sleeve section for rotation about a vertical axis, a rotary reaction type sprinkler head mounted on said stud and rotatable therewith when water under pressure is snpplied to said head, means on said head for varying the area sprinkled by said sprinkler, a reel disposed in said housing and supported for rotation about a vertical axis, a tape capable of being wound on said reel, valve 'means for controlling the ow of water to said head comprising a member movable to a predetermined position toprevent the flow of water to said head, manually actuable means for moving said member to a position to permit the flow of water to said head, latch means for maintaining said member in the last named position, gear means rotatable with said bearing stud drivingly connected to' said reel whereby rotation of said reel winds said tape thereon, an element attached to a point on saidv tape for releasing said latch to permit said valve to move to the closed position when a predetermined portion of said tapeh-as been wound on said reel, and independent means for holding said valve member in the cpe-n position regardless of the condition of said latch means.

i3L A self propelled traveling sprinkler comprising a support, a rotatable bearing stud journalled in said support for rotation about a vertical axis, a rotary reaction type sprinkler head mounted on said stud and rotatable therewith when water under pressure is supplied to said head, valve means for controlling the iiow of water to said head comprising a movable valve member, spring means for biasing said valve member to the closed position, manually actuable means for moving said valve member to the open position, latch means for automatically latching said valve member in the open position when moved to that position in response to operation of said manually actuable means, a rotatable reel mounted in said support having a fiexible tape Wound thereon with one end of said tape connected to said reel, means for driving said reel at reduced speed in response to rotation of said bearing stud to wind said tape on said reel, bodily movement of said sprinkler occurring when the other end of said tape is fastened to a stationary member, and a clutch interposed between said reel and said stud, said manually actuable means including means for rendering said clutch effective to drive said reel in response to rotation of said stud simultaneously with the movement of said valve member to the open position, and independent means for holding said valve member in the open position regardless of the condition of said latch means.

9. In a traveling sprinkler the combination of a support including a base portion shaped for sliding movement over an area to be sprinkled, a reel mounted for rotation in said support, a flexible tape capable of being wound on said reel having one end thereof attached to said reel and the other end capable of being attached to a stationary member, a shaft journalled in said support, water pressure responsive means for rotating said shaft in response to supplying water under pressure to said sprinkler, reduction gear means connected to be driven by said shaft, means including a clutch for drivingly relating said reduction gear means and said reel whereby when said clutch is engaged said reel is rotated in response to rotation of said shaft, valve means for controlling the supply of water to said sprinkler, manually actuable means for causing simultaneous opening of said valve and engagement of said clutch, latch means for maintaining said clutch in engagement and said valve in the open position, means movable with said tape for actuating said latch to disengage said clutch and ,cause closing of said valve means when a predetermined amount of said tape has been wound on said reel, and means for maintaining said valve means in the open position to continue said sprinkling operation regardless of the condition of said latch means whereby said sprinkler continues to sprinkle the area surrounding the same after no further traveling movement thereof occurs.

10. A Self propelled traveling sprinkler of the type that propels itself by winding on a reel a length of line having opposite ends attached to a stationary member and said reel respectively, comprising, a support includlng a base portion and an upwardly extending portion, means defining a reel chamber in said base portion for rotatably receiving said reel, said reel comprising a circular portion upon the outside of which said line is Wound, said reel chamber including means for confining said line wound on said reel, a line guide for guiding said line in its movement to and from said reel, said reel having an inner portion thereof provided with gear teeth to define an annular gear integral and concentric with said reel, a uid motor mounted on said upwardly extending portion, and reduction gear means connecting said uid motor with said annular gear.

11. A self propelled traveling sprinkler of the type that propels itself by winding on a reel a length of line having opposite ends attached to a stationary member and said reel respectively, comprising, a one-piece support including a base portion and an upwardly QXIQIQ ing portion, means integral with said support defining a reel chamber in said base portion for rotatably receiving said reel, said reel comprising a circular portion upon the outside of which said line is wound, said support including integral projections around said reel chamber for confining said line wound on said reel, a line guide for guiding said line in its movement to and from said reel, said reel having an inner portion thereof provided with gear teeth to define an annular gear integral and concentric with said reel, a fiuid motor mounted on said upwardly extending portion, and reduction gear means connecting said uid motor with said annular gear.

12. A self propelled traveling sprinkler of the type that propels itself by winding on a reel a length of tape having opposite ends attached to a stationary member and said reel respectively, comprising, a support in cluding a base portion and an upwardly extending portion, means defining a reel chamber in said base portion for rotatably receiving said reel, said reel comprising a circular portion upon the outside of which said tape is wound, said reel chamber including means for confining said tape wound on said reel, a tape channel defined in said base connected to said reel chamber, a tape guide in said channel for guiding said tape in its movement to and from said reel, said reel including means defining an annular gear, a fluid motor mounted on said upwardly extending portion, reduction gear means connecting said fiuid motor with said annular gear, a pivotally mounted trigger having a portion disposed in said tape channel including an opening therein for the passage of said tape therethrough in movement to and from said reel, and means fastened to a point on said tape for moving said trigger when said point on said tape reaches said opening.

13. A self propelled traveling sprinkler of the type that propels itself by winding on a reel a length of tape having opposite ends attached to a stationary member and said reel respectively, comprising, a support including a base portion and an upwardly extending portion, means defining a reel chamber in said base portion for rotatably receiving said reel with the axis thereof disposed in a vertical direction, said reel comprising a circular portion upon the outside of which said tape is wound, a tape channel defined in said base connected to said reel chamber, a tape guide in said channel for guiding said tape in its movement to and from said reel, a uid motor mounted on said upwardly extending portion, means drivingly interconnecting said fluid motor and said reel, a pivotally mounted trigger having a portion disposed in said tape channel including an opening therein for the passage of said tape therethrough in movement to and from said reel, and means fastened to a point on said tape for moving said trigger when said point on said tape reaches said opening.

14. A self propelled traveling sprinkler of the type that propels tself by winding on a reel a length of tape having opposite ends attached to a stationary member and said reel respectively, comprising, a support including a base portion and an upwardly extending portion, means defining a reel chamber in said base portion for rotatably receiving said reel, said reel comprising a circular portion upon the outside of which said tape is wound, said reel chamber including means for confining said tape wound on said reel,v a tape channel defined in said base connected to said reel chamber, a tape guide in said channel for guiding said tape in its movement to and from said reel, one of the walls of said tape channel being shaped to guide said tape, a fluid motor mounted on said upwardly extending portion, means drivingly interconnecting said fluid motor and said annular reel, a pivotally mounted trigger having a portion disposed in said tape channel including an opening therein for the passage of said tape therethrough in movement to and from said reel, spring means biasing said trigger for pivotal movement in a 21 predetermined direction, and means fastened to a point on Said tape for moving said trigger against the bias of said spring means when said point on said tape reaches said opening.

15. In a sprinkler of the rotary reaction type comprising a head rotatable in response to the supply of water under pressure thereto, a support including a base and an upwardly extending sleeve portion, a bearing stud rotatable with said head and journalled in said sleeve portion, a vertically disposed rotatable shaft driven by said bearing stud and extending along the axis of said sleeve portion, valve means including a movable valve member disposed adjacent said sleeve portion for controlling the supply of water to said sleeve portion and thence to said head, a valve actuating slide partially disposed in said sleeve portion connected to said valve member and movable substantially transversely of said sleeve portion, said slide having an enlarged opening defined therein to accommodate said shaft, and means for actuating said slide to operate said valve member.

16. In a sprinkler of the rotary reaction type comprising a head rotatable in response to the supply of water under pressure thereto, a support including a base and an upwardly extending sleeve portion, a bearing stud rotatable with said head and journalled in said sleeve portion, a rotatable shaft extending along the axis of said sleeve portion, separable means drivingly interconnecting said bearing stud and rotatable shaft, valve means including a movable valve member disposed adjacent said sleeve portion for controlling the supply of Water to said sleeve portion and thence to said head, a valve actuating slide partially disposed in said sleeve portion connected to said valve member and movable substantially transversely of said sleeve portion, said slide having an opening defined therein through which said shaft extends, said opening being of such conguration to permit movement of said slide to operate said valve member without interference with said shaft, and means for actuating said slide to operate said valve member.

17. In a sprinkler of the rotary reaction type comprising a head rotatable in response to the supply of water under pressure thereto, a support including a base and an upwardly extending sleeve portion, a bearing stud rotatable with said head and journalled in said sleeve portion, a vertically disposed rotatable shaft driven by said bearing stud and extending along the axis of said sleeve portion, valve means including a movable valve member disposed adjacent said sleeve portion for controlling the supply of water to said sleeve portion and thence to said head, a valve actuating slide partially disposed in said sleeve portion connected to said valve member and movable substantially transversely of said sleeve portion, said slide having an enlarged opening defined therein to accommodate said shaft, means for actuating said slide to operate said valve member, and means for maintaining said slide in a position to hold said valve member in the open position.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,658,202 Jones Feb. 7, 1928 2,122,596 Turner `uly 5, 1938 2,256,838 Adamson Sept. 23, 1941 

